The Columbia Community

Columbia, MO Real Estate & Community Information

We are so fortunate to call Columbia, MO our home! This community continues to garner national publicity due to the city’s college attainment being at almost 50%, while boasting such achievements as Forbes #6 Best Small Places for Business and Careers, #32 in cost of doing business, #9 in job growth and #5 in education.

Columbia Real Estate Information

At Columbia Real Estate, we stay educated on all of the central Missouri, residential home inventory, including lots and land for sale. Our REALTORS® understand that Columbia’s real estate market offers a wide range of prices and homes. Everything from apartments and condos on the 18th hole, to farmland and traditional family neighborhoods can be found to fit any lifestyle and budget. Constant growth, due to our diversified economy, makes residential property a sound and economical investment in Columbia, MO.

Money Magazine reported that the price of an average home puts us in the most affordable 15% of all cities, and the cost of living, places us in the best 20%. The ACCRA Cost of Living Index indicates housing costs in Columbia to be 5-6% below the national average. With our consistent lower cost of living, it takes less income to maintain a comfortable lifestyle compared to other areas of the country. Real estate here has an existing home median price of $154,500, while the nationwide median price is $173,000. The cost of living was 91.7% in 2010, which was well below the national average.

Columbia Community Information

Columbia, MO is an incredible place to live and raise a family. Our community is rich with a diverse population who love our mid-western city. Columbia attracts new families each and every year. They move to our city because of the overall quality of life. Many find quick employment from our strong list of incredible companies and employers.

The metro population of Columbia is 180,900. Columbia and Central Missouri’s major industries include education, insurance, government, banking and healthcare. The median household income is $47,414 and unemployment is at 4.5% and its 2013 job growth was at 2.5%. Columbia’s cost of living is also below the national average at 6%.

We are home to the main campus of the University of Missouri, which has helped earn the college town the nickname the Athens of Missouri in reference to the politically liberal leaning students who make up a majority of the population and have significant influence over this wonderful city. The economy has historically remained incredibly insulated due to the strength of education, healthcare and the insurance industry. The University remains the single largest employer.

Arts remain a city strength with venues including the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts, Jesse Auditorium, the University of Missouri’s Museum of Art and Archeology, the We Always Swing Jazz Series, the Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival and the Ragtag Cinema’s popular True/False Film Festival.

There’s always an event on the horizon here in Columbia. Popular festivals include the annual Heritage Festival and Craft Show for old time exhibits and education along with crafting vendors, the monthly Family Fun Fest, the Columbia Food and Wine Festival to stuff your face through the city’s best, and everyone’s favorite mellow Hot Summer Nights Festival, just to name a few. Visit the Columbia MO Visitor’s Guide for a host of activities and local attractions!